Synonyms of aggrandize

aggrandize

verb

ə-ˈgran-ˌdīz 

1

as in to elevate

to assign a high status or value to

a movie that aggrandizes the bad guys and makes the cops look like dopes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• elevate
• promote
• ennoble
• exalt
• enthrone
• magnify
• lift
• dignify
• glorify
• enshrine
• deify
• canonize
• upgrade
• honor
• boost
• raise
• heighten
• uplift
• praise
• intensify
• ensky
• idealize
• romanticize
• sanitize
• extol
• laud
• acclaim
• sugarcoat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• humiliate
• degrade
• demean
• minimize
• detract
• disparage
• belittle
• abase
• depreciate
• decry

2

as in to increase

to make greater in size, amount, or number

a generous grant, enabling the library to significantly aggrandize its collection

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• expand
• accelerate
• augment
• boost
• enhance
• extend
• raise
• multiply
• amplify
• reinforce
• maximize
• enlarge
• intensify
• swell
• strengthen
• stoke
• add (to)
• escalate
• compound
• build up
• up
• supersize
• inflate
• pump up
• hype
• heighten
• distend
• prolong
• develop
• supplement
• lengthen
• magnify
• skyrocket
• jump
• complement
• elongate
• protract
• dilate
• spike
• boom
• bump (up)
• draw out
• stretch
• accumulate
• flesh (out)
• blow up
• amass
• ratchet (up)
• collect
• beef (up)
• parlay
• rachet (up)
• follow up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• diminish
• decrease
• lessen
• downsize
• abate
• lower
• dwindle
• curtail
• subtract (from)
• shorten
• abridge
• abbreviate
• minify
• compress
• constrict
• de-escalate
• condense
• contract
• cut back
• retrench

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of aggrandize

Vrabel has modernized, professionalized and aggrandized the Patriots in a matter of months. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

Part of him wants to aggrandize the country to reflect his own inflated self-conception. — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

Throughout the war, state-run media have aggrandized Russian wins on the battlefield, while downplaying or ignoring news to the contrary. — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025

In the Caribbean, San Juan’s rebirth following hurricanes and the pandemic is marked by an inaugural culinary festival, thanks to the very innovators who have aggrandized the tiny island’s bold flavors around the globe. — Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!